Amidst growing concern in his native Ecuador, attacking midfielder Kendry Páez is currently with Chelsea's U21s after the club failed to secure a new loan destination for him in the summer. The 19-year-old, who is not in manager Xabi Alonso's plans, has had previous loan spells at Strasbourg and River Plate terminated. In response to suggestions that returning to Ecuadorian clubs such as Independiente, Liga, Emelec, or Barcelona could help him, pundit Jorge Sanchez Parra stated that he feels if Páez returns to Ecuador, he will completely lose his way. Another pundit, Jose Carlos Crespo, shared this view, believing that the preferential treatment Páez might receive in his home country could be detrimental. Páez, who has 27 caps and 2 goals for Ecuador, joined Chelsea in July 2025 and is under contract until 2033. According to Transfermarkt, his current valuation is €8.00m. Several British clubs, including Norwich City, Celtic, and Blackburn Rovers, have also been linked with the player.